Collapsible drum



N. L. HERMAN COLLAPSIBLE DRUM Oct. 9, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 4, 1949 M m m m NATHAN 1.. HERMAN Wm w /wpw ATTORNEYS Oct. 9, 1951 N. HERMAN 2,570,809

COLLAPSIBLE DRUM Filed May 4. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

NATHAN L. HERMAN ATTORNEYS RMAN 5 Sheets-s 5 Filed May 4' 49 EYs Oct. 9, 1951 Filed May 4, 1949 N. HERMAN 2,570,809

COLLAPSIBLE DRUM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N VEN TOR.

NATHAN L. HERMAN 'Lduf Fm ATTORNEYS Oct. 9, 1951 N. L. HERMAN COLLAPSIBLE DRUM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 4, 1949 \IIIIIIII ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 9, 1951 A COLLAP SIBLE DRUM Nathan L. Herman, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Poe Machine and Engineering Company, Inc.,

New Wilmington, Pa.

Application May 4, 1949, Serial No. 91,385

16 Claims.

This invention relates to coil handling and unreeling devices, especially t such a device which has a radially movable drum section which adapts the device for engagement with any of a plurality of sizes of coils of material, such as strip metal to position them for unreeling action.

' The general object of the present invention is to avoid and overcome the difficulties attendant present types of uncoiling devices and supports for coils of metal strip and to provide an uncoiler mechanism which is characterized by its ability for use with coils of metal strip having widely varying internal diameters.

Another object of the invention is t provide a positive engagement between a plurality of drum sections and means for moving same radially but retarding same from movement in an axial direction.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of longitudinally split drum sections which are capable of being removed individually from the machine for repair or maintenance of same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of longitudinally movable racks in a support shaft which engage with pinion gears carried by the shaft and which have cams associated therewith by which drum sections are supported on the support shaft for radial movement.

Another object is to provide a plurality of support points spaced longitudinally and transversely of a movable drum section of a coil supporting device.

A further object is to provide a sturdy cantilever type of a tubular support of minimum diameter but having great strength and having compact radially movable drum support means carried thereby.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide' an uncoiler device which has an accurate and positive control for a radially movable drum section provided in the machine.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

The present invention, broadly speaking, relates to coil handling apparatus wherein a support shaft, usually tubular, is provided which has a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced slots provided therein, and a control member is positioned in the bore of the support shaft and connects to a plurality of rack gears each of which is slidably received in one of the slots. These rack gears engage with pin- 2 ions which are journalled on the support shaft and have cams associated therewith that support longitudinally. split sections of a coil engaging drum, that are secured to the cams for support thereby for radial movement to engage with the internal diameter of any coils carried by the apparatus of the invention.

For a better understanding of the present in- ,vention, attention should be had to the details of the structure shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of coil handling apparatus embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a left end elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section of the support shaft and positioning drum of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 with the expanded position of a drum section being indicated;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the gear and cam assembly of the invention;

' Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are fragmentary longitudinal sections taken on lines 6-6, 1'I and 88 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary Vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

Reference now should be had to the details of the construction shown in the drawings and there is illustrated an uncoiler apparatus In which is provided for supporting any of a number of widely varying internal diameter coils, usually of metal strip. The uncoiler includes a base H which has a conventional drive means, such as a motor I2 secured thereto, which connects to a conventional speed reducer device l3 the output gear of which is coupled to and drives a support shaft M. The support shaft I4 is journalled in bearings l5 and I6 at spaced portions of the base H and the support shaft has an overhanging or cantilever end portion it upon which a plurality of arcuate drum sections ll are carried for movement radially of the support shaft l4. These drum sections I! are longitudinally split and extend over the cantilever portion M of the shaft 14. Usually a conventional brake device [8 is associated with the shaft l4 for stopping rotation of same at desired times. Coils to be sup-' ported on the device of the invention are telescoped into engagement with the drum sections H which thereafter would be expanded to engage with the coil.

In order to aid in positioning the drum sections I! for movement only in a direction radially of the support shaft M, a face plate I 9 is suitably secured to the support shaft 24 adjacent the bearing l and it is provided with a plurality of substantially radially extending slots or'recesses 25 formed at circumferentially spaced and balanced portions thereof. The slots onl extend a portion of the radial length of the plate [5. The specific engagement of the drum sections IT in the slots 20 will be hereinafter described in more detail. The face plate i9 is provided with a plushaft 22 normally extends the length of the sup port shaft l4 and protrudes therefrom at both ends. Adjacent the motor I 2, the control shaft 22 connects, by a connector block 23, to a hydraulic piston 24 which is adapted to move the connector block 23 and the control shaft 22 axially of the shaft i4. Other conventional means may of course be used in place of the hydraulic piston for effecting axial movement of the control shaft 22 and means controlled thereby.

In this embodiment of the invention, the con trol shaft 22 is shown as extending from the cantilevered end portion 14 of the support shaft I4 and is provided with an end plate 25 that is secured to a stud 25 formed on or secured to the end of the control shaft 22. The plate 25 is retained in position by a nut 27 on stud 25. The end plate 25 in turn engages with 'a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced racks 28 secured to the end plate 25 in any desired manner, as by screws 29. The racks 23 are received in longitudinally extending, circumferentially equally spaced slots 3!! that are formed in the cantilevered end of the support shaft l4. One or more bearings sleeves 3! may be positioned in the bore of the support shaft [4 to position the control shaft 22 therein for reciprocal movement.

Fig. 4 of the drawings best shows that a plurality of longitudinall extending ribs 32 are formed in circumferentially equally spaced parts of the periphery of the support shaft 14 and the slots are provided in these portions of the support shaft. By this enlargement of the support shaft 14 in the areas thereof carryin the racks 28 in the slots 30, the overall strength of the support shaft M is not weakened by the formation of the slots 33. Usually a bearing liner '33 is positioned in each of the slots 36 to aid in positioning the racks 28 therein for longitudinal movement.

As an important feature of the present invention, the racks 28 each engage with a plurality of longitudinally spaced pinion gears 34 which are journalled on longitudinally spaced, aligned portions of the cantilever portion M of the support shaft and which have shafts 35 extending from both sides thereof. These shafts 35 may be formed integrally with or be otherwise associated with the gears 34, as desired. The shafts 35 are retained in journalled engagement with the support shaft by means of bearing caps 35 with, or secured thereto, a circular cam 39. It will be seen that the cams 39 are radially offset appreciably with relation to the shaft 35 whereby rotation of the shaft 35 through the pinion gears and racks ssociated therewith will appreciably vary the radial positioning of the cams 39 and any means which are supported thereby.

Fig. 4 best shows that the drum sections I! are of arcuate external contour and that on the inher surfaces thereof, a pair of cam engaging surfaces, or support shoulders 40 are provided at transversely balanced portions of the drum section. These support shoulders 40 may extend continuously longitudinally of the drum sections I1, or may be formed at longitudinally spaced portions thereof, as desired. In all events, the

shoulders 40 are'adapted to engage with the cirthat are removabl associated therewith. Usually split bushings 3? are placed intermediate the shaft 35 and their associated bearing surfaces.

As shown in Figs. 4. and 5, each end of the shaft 35 is provided with a crank link 38 that extends substantially radially from the shaft 35 and each of which has integrally formed, therecular cams 39 whereby the drum sections II are supported thereon for movement radially of the support shafts, dependent upon the position of the control means provided for the earns 39. Preferably, bearing plates 4| are provided on'the drum sections for contact with the outer flat surfaces of the earns 39 to retain the 'druni sec tions I! in snug operative association therewith. These bearing plates ii are secured to the edge portions of the drum section I! adjacent the shoulders 46 and transversely outwardly of same by bolts 4! In order that the drum sections [1 be positively controlled'by the positioning of the cams 39; suitable means are provided for securing the two members together and in this in stance comprise pins 43 that engage with center portions of the cams 39 and which extend through slots 44 that are provided in inwardly or downwardly extending brackets 45, or lugs orm-earn longitudinally spaced portions of the drums-cc: tions adjacent the margins thereof. The slots 44 permit a little lost motion between the earns 39 and drum sections l! on longitudinal movement of the cams by swingin same through an arc centered on the shafts 35. 7

Normally means should be provided to prevent the drum sections ll from having axial move merit as they are moved radially by the positioning control means provided therefore. Thus re duced arcuate width ends 56 are provided on the portions of the drum sections ll positioned adja cent the face plate I9. These ends 46 are re ceived in the slots 29 formed in the face plate I9 and usually extend substantially therethro'ugh. Cap plate sections 41 are secured to the end por tions 4% by screws 48 with such cap plate sections il being on the side of the cap plate removed, from the major portion of the drum sections [2. Such portion of the face plate I9 is provided with a radially extending flat surface 49 which the cap plate sections 4'! normally will slida-bly engage. The face plate [9' is secured in it's position on the support shaft I4 by abutting up against a shoulder formed therein and by a split retainer ring 5! which is suitably engaged with the support shaft l4 against the other surface of the face plate H3.

The ribbed surfaces of the cantilever portion N5 of the support shaft 14, may be locally increased in radial thickness to form pairs of seating shoulders 52, at longitudinally spaced but aligned portions thereof. These shoulders 52 aid. in securing the bearing caps 35 to the supportshaft. Figs. 3 and 6 best show that longitudinally spaced recesses lflil are formed on the inner surfaces of the drum sections IT for reception of the pinions 34 and associated means.

It will be realized, that in some instances it might be desirable to provide a solid support shaft M with the control shaft 22 then extending in a recess formed in the periphery of the support shaft. Likewise in some instances it is not necessary to make all of the drum sections ll movable radially but only one or two sections might be made movable. Furthermore, in some instances the cams controlled by the pinion gears 34 might engage centrally with the drum sections l1 although the construction shown is preferred for the heavy loads, such as up to five tons,

usually carried by the apparatus of the inven-- tion. The control cams used may be of any desired shape. In some instances, the drive for the shaft [4 may be omitted. Of course the apparatus of the invention could be used with any material for any desired use or handling of same.

While the rack and pinion gear engagement means shown in this instance are the preferred embodiment of the invention, in some instances it may be desirable to provide other means for moving the drum sections l1 radially in the appar'atus of the invention. Of course, it is possible that the racks '28 could be secured to the control shaft 22 by means of control bolts or other similar devices that would extend through slots formed in the support shafts l4 and which would not therefore necessitate having the control shaft protrude from the overhanging end of the support shaft. By using an uncoiler device IQ of the invention, one is able to secure approximately a 50% increase in diameter of the drum formed by the drum sections I I from their innermost positions to their outermost positions. That is, coils having an internal diameter of from 14" to 21" may be supported by one'uncoiler device of the invention. Hence, it is submitted that an effective, uncomplicated uncoiler device has been provided that has a wide range of operating conditions. The positions of the drum sections I! can be readily and positively controlled and the individual drum sections can be easily removed when desired for repair or maintenance purposes whereby it is submitted that the objects of the invention have been realized.

Fig. 9 shows that the portion I4 of the shaft 14 is of generally annular contour and that the ribs 32 are relatively short in radial length. The

slots or recesses 30 extend in this instance only partially through the support shaft but receive the racks 28 for longitudinal movement therein.

Local recesses 200 are formed in the periphery of the support shaft extending circumferentially thereof between the pairs of shoulders 52 formed on adjacent ribs 32 for receipt of the crank arms 38 and cams 39. Thus the support shaft is not weakened appreciably in any portion thereof by the recesses 20!] since the ribs 32 strengthen the shaft 14 and aid it in positioning expandible means in a radially limited space.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

- Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Coil handling apparatus comprising a tubular support shaft, a control shaft telescopically received in said support shaft and extending from both ends thereof, means for moving said control shaft axially secured to one end thereof, said support shaft having a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots formed therein at the end thereof adjacent the other end of said control shaft, a plu-. rality of racks secured to said control shaft and I received in said slots in said support shaft for longitudinal movement therein, a plurality of elongate longitudinally split drum sections having aligned pairs of cam shoulders formed thereon spaced transversely thereof and extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of pinion gears received in said slots at longitudinally spaced portions thereof and engaged with said racks, a shaft secured to each of said pinion gears and extending from both sides thereof, a cam secured to each end of said last named shafts and en'- gaged with said cam surfaces to support said drum sections, means journalling said pinion gear shafts on said support shaft, and means securing said drum sections against axial move; ment.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said drum sections have reduced width end portions, said last named means comprises a face plate having radially extending slots into which said reduced width end portions of said drum sections extend, said face plate being secured to said support shaft, and end plates secured to the said end portions of said drum sections on the side of said face plate remote from the major portions of said drum sections.

3. Coil handling apparatus comprising a tubular support shaft, a control shaft telescopically received in said support shaft and extending from both ends thereof, means for moving said control shaft axially secured to one end thereof, said support shaft having a plurality of substantially equally circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots formed therein at the end thereof adjacent the other end of said control shaft, a plurality of racks secured to said control shaft, movable therewith and received in said slots in said support shaft for longitudinal movement therein, a plurality of elongate longitudinally split drum sections having pairs of cam shoulders formed thereon spaced transversely thereof and extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of pinion gears positioned on said support shaft at longitudinally spaced portions of each of said slots and engaged with said racks, a shaft secured to each of said pinion gears and extending from both sides thereof for journal engagement with said support shaft, a cam secured to each end of said last named shafts and engaged with said cam surfaces to support said drum sections, and means securing each of said drum sections to the cams supporting same.

4. Coil handling apparatus comprising a tubular support shaft, a control shaft'telescopical- 1y received in said support shaft and extending from both ends thereof, means for moving said control shaft axially secured to one end thereof, said support shaft having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots formed therein at the end thereof adjacent the other end of said control shaft, a plurality of racks secured to said control shaft and received in said slots in said support shaft for longitudinal movement therein, said racks moving with said control shaft, a plurality of elongate arcuate drum sections having pairs of cam shoulders formed thereon at longitudinally spaced but aligned portions thereof, a plurality of pinion gears positioned in said slots and engaged with said racks, shafts for said pinion gears engaged therewith and journalled'on said support shaft, and cams securedto said shaftsfor, the pinion gears and engaged with said cam surfaces to support said drum sections for movement radially of said support shaft.

5. Coil handling apparatus comprising a strong tubular support shaft having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially balanced slotted ribs on the periphery thereof, a control member slidably received in the bore of said support shaft, a rack slidably received in each of said ribs, means securing said racks to said control member to provide unitary sliding movement thereof, at least one gear journaled on each of said ribs and engaged with said rack therein, at least one cam secured to each of said gears, a drum section extending axially of said shaft and supported on a cam associated with one of said gears, means securing said drum sections to their support cams, and means engaged with end portions of said drum sections to prevent longitudinal movement thereof.

6. Coil handling apparatus comprising a strong substantially tubular support shaft having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced slotted ribs on the periphery thereof, a control member received in the bore of said support shaft, a rack slidably received in each of said ribs, means securing said racks to said control member to provide unitary sliding movement thereof, at least one gear journaled on each of said ribs and engaged with said rack therein, at least one cam secured to each of said gears, axially extending drum sections individually supported on the said cams, and means securing said drum sections to their support cams.

7. Coil handling apparatus comprising a tubular support shaft having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced slots formed therein, a control member received in the bore of said support shaft, a rack slidably received in each of said slots, means securing said racks to said control member to provide unitary sliding movement thereof, at least one gear journalled on said shaft and positioned in each of said slots and engaged with the said rack therein, at least one cam secured to each of said gears, and an axially extending arcuate drum section supported on the said cam of each said slot.

3. Coil handlin apparatus comprising a support shaft having a bore, a slide rod received in said bore, a plurality of longitudinally split drum sections, cam means on said support shaft engaged with and supporting said drum sections individually for radial movement, and means connecting said slide rod to said cam means for rotating same to regulate the position of said drum sections, said cam means including a shaft, a crank arm extending from said cam shaft, and an arcuately surfaced support member on said crank arm eccentrically positioned on same.

9. In apparatus as in claim 8, said support shaft having slots formed therein at circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending portions for receipt of at least portions of said connecting means said cam means being positioned externally of said slots.

10. Coil handling apparatus comprising a support shaft having a bore, a slide rod received in said bore, a plurality of longitudinally split drum sections, cam means journalled on said support shaft engaged with and supporting said drum sections individually for radial movement, gear means fixedly carried by said cam means, rack means connecting said slide rod to said gear means on said cam means for controlling same to regulate the position of said drum sections, and means for retaining said drum sections against longitudinal movement.

11. Coil handling apparatus comprising a support shaft, a slide member extending longitudinally of said shaft, a plurality of longitudinally split drum sections, cam means journalled on said support shaft and engaged with and individually supporting at least one of said drum sections, said cam means engaging said drum sections by pin and slot means to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween, means connecting said slide member to said cam means for controlling same to regulate the radial position of at least one of said drum sections with relation to said shaft, and means securing said drum sections to said support shaft for radial movement only with relation thereto.

12. In coil unreeling apparatus or the like, a support shaft, bearing means journalling said shaft therein and providing an overhanging end portion thereof, a plurality of pairs of transversely spaced cams journalled on said shaft in longitudinal alignment on the overhanging end thereof, means for moving said cams through an arc, and a drum section extending over a longitudinal section of the overhanging end of said shaft and supported by said cams at a plurality of longitudinally spaced and a plurality of transversely spaced places, and pin means on said cams and engaging said drum section but being free for limited longitudinal movement with relation thereto.

13. In coil unreeling apparatus or the like, a support shaft, bearing means journalling said shaft therein and providing an overhanging end portion thereof, a plurality of pairs of transversely spaced cams journalled on said shaft at circumferentially spaced portions thereof, a longitudinally extending drum section supported and carried'by each of said pairs of cams, said drum section and earns being free for relative movement therebetween longitudinally of said shaft, and means for rotating said cams to move said drum sections radially of said shaft, said means comprising a slide rod extending longitudinally of said shaft, a rack gear slidably received in said shaft for movement longitudinally thereof and secured to said slide rod, and pinion gear means connected between said cams and said rack gear.

14. Coil handling apparatus comprising a support shaft having a bore, a slide rod received in said bore, a plurality of longitudinally split drum sections, cam means journalled on said support shaft engaged with and supporting said drum sections individually for radial movement, gear means fixedly carried by said cam means, rack means connecting said slide rod to said gear means on said cam means for controlling same to regulate the position of said drum sections, a member secured to said support shaft and extending substantially radially therefrom, said member having a plurality of radially directed slots formed therein, and means securing said drum sections to said member to permit relative radial movement only of said drum sections with relation to said support shaft.

15. In a collapsible drum, a support shaft, a drum section, and a gear and cam unit journalled on said support shaft to control the posi tion of said drum section, said gear and cam unit including a shaft journalled on said support shaft, a gear carried by said shaft, a crank link extending from said shaft, a circular cam carried by said crank link and havinga support surface eccentrically positioned with relation to the axis of said shaft portion for engaging and supporting said drum section, and asupport pin on said cam and extending from the center thereof for engaging said drum section.

16. In a collapsible drum, a support shaft, a drum section, and a gear and cam unit journalled on said support shaft to control the position of said drum section, said gear and cam unit including a shaft journalled on said support shaft, a gear carried by said shaft, a crank link extending from said shaft, and a cam carried by said crank link and having a support surface eccentrically positioned with relation to the axis 15 of said shaft for engaging and supporting said drum section.

NATHAN L. HERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 390,719 Taylor et al Oct. 9, 1888 1,333,632 Robinson Mar. 16, 1920 2,236,971 Iversen et a1 Apr. 1, 1941 2,335,602 Nash et al. Nov, 30, 1943 2,499,869 Luchansky Mar. 7, 1950 

